Da Bull...spit

If the next month will be an indication, a lot will talk about the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls. It was the last year they won a championship and the last to have Michael Jordan with them along with Phil Jackson. When 1999 hit, they were one of the worst teams and no playoffs until 2005. ESPN is airing a documentary that was filmed during that 97-98 season. Jordan, from reading from places like ESPN and the New York Post, had authority on when it would be shown. A couple takeaways from my opinion.

I don't have much interest in the documentary or any drive to watch it. But looking at details from articles, it seems like general manager Jerry Krause had no interest in keeping the Bulls the way they were.  And the meddling he did destroyed arguably the biggest 90s team in all of sports. He had been involved since 1985 during "The Last Dance", the name of the documentary. He got players he wanted and the expertise of Jackson and players like Scottie Pippen, early players like John Paxson and Horace Grant, later ones such as Dennis Rodman and Ron Harper. Steve Kerr was a part of those last three championships as a player. It's so loaded with talent, why? Why ruin the team you brought fortune to?

Going to the few articles, I'll assume an ego on Krause's part. Not feeling like he gets credit. Even if it's not mentioned by players and staff, he would have still been given credit via retrospectives and front office interviews. Part of it is probably why he got tired of Jackson, who I believe was the fourth coach for Jordan in five years. Reading the salary of Pippen, I don't know how you don't try to give a sizable contract or renegotiate to where both sides are happy. Rodman and a few others had bigger paychecks than him.

As far as other stuff mentioned from reading the articles, it tells you how versatile Jordan was and the drive to win. Keeping the team relevant in those early years of his career and going all out every night in a productive manner, especially when Jackson started coaching the Bulls. I read a tweet from NFL great Julius Peppers about Krause being gone (passed away in 2017) and not being able to defend himself. No offense, but I'm not sure if he could defend himself. You have a huge dynasty. The best since the 70s Steelers teams and for basketball, those 80s Celtics and Lakers teams.  Having beefs with your own talent is a huge recipe for disaster. And not wanting to pay huge contributors and petty shit that is blown into a big deal. Krause destroyed the team.

I'll be curious to see how the reputation goes for Chicago. There will be a lot of good and bad things that will be discussed in what some argue could be the greatest NBA player (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar might be equal or better than him). Maybe clearer answers will be given as to what may have caused the drive for a final championship before its ultimate downfall skid.